Sour grapes, and proud of them
So it looks like Manchester City have finally bought success. Only Newcastle United stand in the way, realistically, of the best league in world football being won by a club that is to all intents and purposes state owned. Okay, I know that technically it’s an investment trust, but that’s run by a key member of the Abu Dhabi royal family, so let’s not split hairs, or kid ourselves, City fans; your team is state-owned. Those owners will have passed the ‘fit and proper persons’ scrutiny, I’m sure, but how can you apply such tests to a nation where democracy is practised only within the ruling group, and where dissent is not tolerated? Yes, football has financial fair play rules which in theory should keep the playing fields level, but these can be and will be manipulated.
My fingers are crossed for Newcastle on Sunday, but it won’t do any good. Money, and a playing style that recalls Don Revie’s Leeds United at its most cynical, will have had its way over flair and prudent financial management.
This probably sounds like sour grapes from a Man U fan, whose club wouldn’t be held to ransom by Carlos Tevez’ agent, wouldn’t pay ridiculous money for, and wages to, players whom they knew would be only peripheral first team figures, and wouldn’t fork out £40m for Kun Aguero. If it does, you’re right, it is. But consider this. What’s going to happen to City when the Arab Spring, sweeps through the Emirates, as in time it will?
Quintin Jardine's blog 
There’s only one team to be supporting this weekend — and hopefully the following weekend — and that’s Blackpool. Commentators are alway commending them on their style of football and when they were in the Premier last time they were given a really rough ride, especially being fined for something that all the monied teams have done in the past and got away with it. But who am I to comment – I’m only a woman who knows nothing about footie, but I have supported them through thick and thin (and that’s just my weight!!) since they last won the FA Cup!
Didn’t their chairman’s dad go to jail for rape? Definition of a wife: someone who sticks with you through thick. If only Stanley Matthews wasn’t dead. However . . . I too would like to see Ollie back in the Premier League. The WBA job probably won’t be filled till after the play-offs, so one way or another, maybe. It would be nice to see Blackpool back, but my dough would be on Birmingham, narrowly, over Cardiff.
Tom Finney’s not dead, but Preston aren’t doing so well!!
They never did.
They were in the ‘Premiership’ (then Div 1) with Blackpool in the 50s!
Everybody gets a turn. It’s what you do with it that counts.
So far your predictions for the promotion to Premiership are a bit off course. Let’s hope on this occasion you continue to be proved wrong.
Not that far off. 90 minutes to go in each game; Brunhilde isn’t even gargling yet.
Also, my view on West Ham may have been coloured by my dislike of Big Sam, the type of football he plays, and the people he works for. Should Cardiff get an early goal at Upton Park, WHU may still bottle it. Ad for Blackpool, good luck, but Birmingham is not the place to be defending a one goal lead.